Silver Defends Lebron James’ Helicopter Commute as Appropriate

WHO:

Fox News - LeBron James is a Philadelphia 76ers forward who signed with the team in free agency and chose to live in New York City.

Fox News, RealGM Basketball - NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said James’s helicopter arrangement with Fanatics was “perfectly appropriate” and that “there’s no rules issue there whatsoever” if no team is involved.

Fox News - Fanatics was founded by Michael Rubin, a former 76ers minority owner. Rubin described himself as a “life-long fan” of the team.

RealGM Basketball - Other 76ers players have commuted from New York, including JJ Redick when he played for Philadelphia; Fox News identifies Redick as the Los Angeles Lakers coach.

WHAT:

Fox News, RealGM Basketball - James commutes by helicopter between New York and Philadelphia. Asked about the attention, he said, “I’ve done it before; just another way of transportation,” and added, “That’s all.”

Fox News - Fanatics covers the helicopter transportation costs. The one-way journey takes roughly 40 minutes.

Fox News - Reports estimate James’s helicopter commutes for 76ers home games could cost just under $1 million this season, depending on usage. The Athletic calculated that flights to and from 41 home games at $4,000 per flight would cost $328,000; that estimate excludes practice trips and does not account for cancellations.

Fox News, RealGM Basketball - The helicopter’s takeoffs from the roof of the 76ers’ business center have sometimes interrupted post-practice news conferences, prompting teammates to stop and laugh.

Fox News - James played in Philadelphia’s preseason finale. The 76ers defeated the New York Knicks 120–97 in a preseason game at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

WHERE:

Fox News, RealGM Basketball - James travels between his New York residence and Philadelphia, where the 76ers play and practice.

Fox News - The helicopter takes off from the roof of the team’s business center; the preseason game against the Knicks took place at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.

WHY:

Fox News - James chose New York as his primary residence after signing with Philadelphia, making the helicopter a means of commuting to the team.

Fox News - Rubin said in 2022 he sold his 76ers stake “to ensure our new businesses don’t conflict with my responsibilities as part-owner of the Sixers,” as Fanatics expanded into sports betting and other ventures.

HOW:

Fox News, RealGM Basketball - Silver said the arrangement is between Fanatics and James, with no team involved; he said that distinction means it does not violate NBA rules.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says LeBron James’s helicopter commute between New York and Philadelphia is “perfectly appropriate,” with no NBA rules issue because no team is involved. Fanatics, founded by former 76ers minority owner Michael Rubin, covers the flights, which take about 40 minutes each way; James said it’s “just another way of transportation.” Reports estimate the trips for home games could cost just under $1 million this season, and the helicopter’s takeoffs from the team’s business center have sometimes interrupted post-practice news conferences.